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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to vehicles passing stationary tow trucks on a highway; |
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providing a penalty. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 545.157, Transportation Code, is amended |
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by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d) to read as |
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follows: |
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(a) On approaching a stationary authorized emergency |
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vehicle using visual signals that meet the requirements of Sections |
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547.305 and 547.702, or a stationary tow truck assisting a stranded |
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motorist or motor vehicle or otherwise involved in the clearing of |
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an incident on a highway, an operator, unless otherwise directed by |
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a police officer, shall: |
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(1) vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle |
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or tow truck when driving on a highway with two or more lanes |
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traveling in the direction of the emergency vehicle; or |
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(2) slow to a speed not to exceed: |
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(A) 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed |
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limit when the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or more; or |
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(B) five miles per hour when the posted speed |
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limit is less than 25 miles per hour. |
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(d) In this section "tow truck" means a vehicle that: |
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(1) has been issued a permit under Subchapter C, |
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Chapter 2308, Occupations Code; and |
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(2) is operated by a person licensed under Subchapter |
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D, Chapter 2308, Occupations Code. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |